Synopsis: A half-wolf, half-husky named Balto gets a chance to become a hero when an outbreak of diphtheria threatens the children of Nome, Alaska in the winter of 1925. This is the touching story of an out casted half dog half wolf named Balto voiced by the talented Kevin Bacon who's voice added a slight charm to the Balto character. Forgot your password? The film is based on a true story which inspired the Iditarod dog sled race. But I stray. Here’s a look at how far the movie Balto takes the “Based on a True Story” premise, as I compare the events in the film to the original 1925 Race of Mercy. Balto remains the master of the strategic retreat. There are some good laughs, and the voice performances are well done. The drama is real, the visuals are beautiful, and the story ends happily. [Full Review in Spanish] The hard copy is … August 12, 2011 by Mitt Ray Leave a Comment. I guess this shows you don't have to fight to get what you want, and I guess that's a valuable lesson, and maybe that's even the message the filmmakers had in mind. Did Balto live up to the hype? No such luck. Actors: Kevin Bacon . Balto Movie Review Summary. Any time a movie features a dog, live action or animated, I’m cautious as they almost always have sad moments. This is a kids' movie, simply told, with lots of excitement and characters you can care about. Balto has grown accustomed to slinking away with his tail between his legs, and nursing his inferiority complex. That much we know is true because of the animated movie's live-action prologue and epilogue, showing a monument that was erected in New York's Central Park in honor of the "indomitable spirit" of the hero dogs. Balto was such a good boy. Read a selection of the 537 available reviews to see what people thought of the movie. Boris a Russian Goose, Muk and Luk – two polar bears are his only friends. Balto is in love with a beautiful female dog named Jenna (Bridget Fonda), who belongs to a cute little girl named Rosy (Juliette Brewer). Balto is brave, loyal and honest, but gets into trouble because of the evil dog Steele (Jim Cummings), who frames him for stealing sausages. 'Balto' is touching, even if in very specific moments -, it is so much because of the honesty in those moments in which the drama is not covered by any extra layer. Film Reviews of Balto (1995) How did people react to Balto (1995) after watching it? I decided to do a bit of a throwback review this week for a sequel I still believe, even after watching it earlier this week, It's fun to watch him try-even if it ain't done up in Pixar. Balto's best friend is a Russian goose named Boris (voice by Bob Hoskins with an accent you could bottle) and a couple of polar bears (both voices by Phil Collins, because polar bears all sound alike). Collectively, these voice talents provided some good performances within these respective characters as well as the rest of the cast / characters in the movie. Roger Ebert was the film critic of the Chicago Sun-Times from 1967 until his death in 2013. Based on a true American legend, the story takes place in 1925 in a small, snow-covered town of Nome, Alaska. But on its own turf it works well enough: This is a kids' movie, simply told, with lots of excitement and characters you can care about. Balto is a half wolf – half dog that lives in the city of Nome, Alaska. Sign up here. All the humans and dogs don’t like him and avoid him because he’s half wolf. "Balto," which was produced by Steven Spielberg's animation unit at Universal, doesn't have the magic of the recent Disney animated films, and not even near the same appeal to adults. Even as voiced by Bacon, Balto doesn't have the sort of charisma to get kids to truly root for him. There lives an animal by the name of Balto. One such movie I remember very fondly, which happens to also be a sequel, is Balto: Wolf Quest. An unwanted, ill-treated dog turns out to be the town hero when he succeeds where others fail. Why this expensive sculpture was located in a New York park rather than a Nome park probably could inspire another movie, perhaps one directed by Oliver Stone. The story is rather standard. Synopsis With animated vigor, Balto is the ultimate dog story: An unwanted, ill-treated dog turns out to be the town hero when he succeeds where others fail. But, hey, Balto man - if ever there was a dog that deserved to have an angry wolf make dog meat out of him, it's Steele. Nomadland, I May Destroy You Take Top Honors at 2021 Film Independent Spirit Awards, It's Alive! Brave dog saves kids in adequate fact-based film. Unassuming and enjoyable animated adventure. The makers of this half-hearted animated feature let the story ramble on with a minimum of second-hand plotting and characterisation. The latest animation feature from Steven Spielberg's Amblin stable is a true story set in the snowy wastes of Alaska where an outbreak of diphtheria … 0 … Balto movie reviews and ratings - Tribute.ca rating of 4.73 out of 5 Stars. He leads a dog team on a 600-mile trip across the Alaskan wilderness to get medical supplies. I’m happy to report that Balto had no such moments. Sidney Poitier’s 7 Most Memorable Performances, All Harry Potter Movies Ranked Worst to Best by Tomatometer, Golden Tomato Awards: Best Movies & TV of 2020, The 2021 Oscars’ Biggest Moments: Glenn Close Does “Da Butt,” Yuh-Jung Youn Is “Luckier Than You,” and Daniel Kaluuya Embarrasses His Family, Oscar Winners 2021: Full List of the 93rd Academy Awards Winners and Nominees, 'Balto' is touching, even if in very specific moments -, it is so much because of the honesty in those moments in which the drama is not covered by any extra layer. He is part wolf, part dog. He leads a dog team on a 600-mile trip across the Alaskan wilderness to get medical supplies. I have no doubt that Balto was a real sled dog, although I have certain doubts about whether he was able to achieve all of the feats depicted in "Balto," especially tying the dead driver to the sled before hauling him back to Nome. I actually grew up with the sequel movie rather than the original, which I didn’t see until I was an adult. Most of the movie is animation, telling the story of Balto (voice by Kevin Bacon), who is half-wolf and half-dog, and an outcast in Nome, because you can't quite trust a wolf. Though it's not the most original or beautifully animated kids' movie out there, Balto is engaging, and kids will probably be quite entertained. critics consensus Balto is a well-meaning adventure with spirited animation, but mushy sentimentality and bland characterization keeps it at paw's length from more sophisticated family fare. When Rosy falls ill, Balto wins the race to determine the fastest dog in town, but once again Steele plays a dirty trick and gets the job of leading the emergency mission. This review is on the first Balto movie made, which was based on the true story of the Serum Run which took place in 1925. Balto Directed by Simon Wells ... where the movie is set, revolves around dog-sled races that have the fervor of high-school football games. Get the freshest reviews, news, and more delivered right to your inbox! Heck, I was even surprise that Phill Collins was in Balto, playing both the voices for the two polar bears (Muk and Luk). With no cheesy songs to slow proceedings down and some barnstorming chase sequences, this is enchanting, highly enjoyable and impressively crafted (not least for its adventurous "camera work") and would have made a pretty fair live action film. [Full Review in Spanish]. Avoiding the mythological grandiosity and freneticism that afflict so many animated features these days, "Balto" makes modesty a virtue. Movie Review. In the end, Balto is a solid non-Disney animated movie from the mid90s. I guess you cut a little slack for a movie like this, which is set in the cruel Alaskan winter of 1925, when a diphtheria epidemic broke out in Nome, and the local doctor ran out of antitoxins, and when neither planes nor trains could get through, dog teams were used to bring back the medicine and save lives. The main character is Balto, a young half Husky, half wolf stray who is living in Nome, Alaska in the 1920s. Kevin Bacon's voice turns the wolf-dog crossbreed into a no-nonsense hero with a sense of duty that far outweighs the pride of his deadly rival, Steele, while Bob Hoskins's eccentric Russian goose provides the comedy. Balto is a 1995 American live-action/animated historical adventure drama film directed by Simon Wells, produced by DreamWorks Animation and distributed by Universal Pictures. This review of Balto II: Wolf Quest (2002) was written by Becky S on 04 May 2007. It's a heart-warming tale of friendship, loyalty, belief, and always [...] Read full review. FILM REVIEW;A Dog-Eat-Dog World. A half-wolf, half-husky named Balto gets a chance to become a hero when an outbreak of diphtheria threatens the children of Nome, Alaska in the winter of 1925. Check out the exclusive TVGuide.com movie review and see our movie rating for Balto. Balto – Movie Review. By creating an account, you agree to the Privacy Policy Be aware that there is some peril and scary scenes involving the mean dog Steele and a grizzly bear encounter. Balto (1995) achieved an average score of 71% and has generally received positive reviews. Sequel: “Balto II: Wolf Quest” (2002) “B alto” is an exciting, fun, animated adventure which demonstrates and promotes Christian principles such as friendship, honesty, unselfish courage, and accepting others in spite of differences.. Awesome review for an awesome movie Dragondrawer88 25 August 2005 Balto has been a favorite movie of mine ever since it came out. Of course, Balto does not go alone. The protaganist, Balto, is a half-breed, part husky and part wolf, who is seeking acceptance and love in the small town of Nome, Alaska. An Alaskan dog who gets a chance to demonstrate his courage and creativity on a mission of mercy. I reallly liked this movie I got it for my birthday. A dog can't tie a knot worth a darn. Balto is brave, loyal and honest, but gets into trouble because of the evil dog Steele (Jim Cummings), who frames him for stealing sausages. Attack! This was a movie that I saw the VHS of countless times as a child but never watched it. The movie includes some dog fights and narrow escapes as dogs fall off cliffs and face other harrowing dangers, but BALTO is a feel-good family movie about heroes coming in different shapes and sizes. With animated vigor, BALTO is the ultimate dog story. The town was saved, and the dogs’ heroic trek inspired what has become the world-famous Iditarod cross-country dog sled race. and the Terms and Policies, My only question involves Balto's personality. But then there's a big showdown out on the tundra, and I expected Balto at last to come into his own, stand up for himself, and take on Steele. The score literally brought the movie to life. Come in to read, write, review, and interact with other fans. It is an inviolable rule of all animated family movies that the hero have two, or preferably three, buddies who tag along for comic relief. The new animated picture from Stephen Spielberg's production company, takes a genuinely appealing, inspirational story and reduces it to, at best, a passable entertainment that might please younger children. Were they impressed, surprised, excited or disappointed? For any fan of the movie, I would suggest this album; more so I would suggest the MP3 album. Copyright © Fandango. It's actually one of the best underrated animated films of the 90's. Balto is one of my favorites from childhood despite the fact it was overshadowed in its year of release, and never really got the recognition it deserved. In New York’s Central Park, a grandmother relates Balto’s legend to her granddaughter as they stand near a commemorative marker. : On the Many Faces of Frankenstein, Shadow and Bone Sets Itself Apart from the YA Pack with Welcome Restraint, Geena Davis and Wendy Guerrero Preview the 2021 Bentonville Film Festival, Running August 3-8. Balto! Movies: Balto fanfiction archive with over 840 stories. Balto is a 1995 American live-action/animated adventure film directed by Simon Wells, produced by Amblin Entertainment and distributed by Universal Pictures. Off they go into the wilderness, surviving avalanches, bitter cold, marauding bears, falling through the ice, falling over cliffs, and almost being speared by stalagmites. The love story is pure mush, not helped by the bland voice work done by Kevin Bacon as Balto and Bridget Fonda as dainty husky Jenna. This is a review for the Balto blu-ray released on July 4, 2017. All rights reserved. Balto II: Wolf Quest has generally received mixed reviews. That sets up the movie's most exciting passages, after the mission gets lost and Balto sets off to the rescue. Balto - Turely a magical film! Balto is in love with a beautiful female dog named Jenna (Bridget Fonda), who belongs to a cute little girl named Rosy (Juliette Brewer). The film is based on a true story which inspired the Iditarod dog sled race. The goose and bears, in particular, don't add much to the proceedings, while Balto himself proves rather blandly heroic. In 1975, he won the Pulitzer Prize for distinguished criticism. Detailed plot synopsis reviews of Balto ; This is the story of one dog's struggle to save his village and prove himself. Its very loosely based on the true story of Alaskan husky, Balto and his role in carrying diphtheria medicine to Nome in 1925. As a half-wolf, he is an outcast in Nome, feared by humans and scorned by pedigreed dogs like Steele (although Jenna and some of the other nice dogs believe in him). This guy always brings to the table! Please enter your email address and we will email you a new password. It's not hard to see why this movie wasn't particularly popular (check out the scene where the carpenter is shown sadly preparing small coffins), but that doesn't mean it isn't worth a look. From Balto brings the medicine to Heritage of the wolf, this is a story without words. and to receive email from Rotten Tomatoes and Fandango. Don't have an account? Check out the exclusive TVGuide.com movie review and see our movie rating for Balto 2: Wolf Quest In the brutal winter of 1925, a team of sled dogs carried antitoxin across 600 miles of arctic tundra to diphtheria-stricken Nome, Alaska. Well done on Horner's part! The film is loosely based on a true story about the dog of the same name who helped save children from the diphtheria epidemic in the 1925 serum run to Nome. Struggle to save his village and prove himself in Nome, Alaska in the.... And creativity on a mission of mercy after watching it makers of this half-hearted animated feature let the story on. Distributed by Universal Pictures Husky, Balto is a story without words are well done Take Honors. Awesome movie Dragondrawer88 25 August 2005 Balto has been a favorite movie of mine ever it. 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